Floor Debris Removal Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A broom for minimizing the aggregation of dust and particulates when sweeping. The broom includes a shaft having a first end and a second end. A broom head having a plurality of bristles is affixed to the second end of the shaft, wherein a channel is disposed within the shaft. The channel is in fluid communication with a nozzle disposed on the broom head, wherein the bristles conceal the nozzle. A reservoir is removably fastened to the first end of the shaft. When fastened to the shaft, the reservoir is in fluid communication with the channel. The reservoir can to excrete a quantity of liquid into the channel and out of the nozzle, thereby moistening the bristle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/364,521 filed on Jul. 20, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floor debris removal tools. Specifically, the present invention provides a broom having a shaft with an interior channel for dispensing a quantity of a liquid onto a plurality of bristles to reduce the number of atmospheric particulates generated by sweeping with a broom.

When dust, dirt, crumbs and other debris are scattered on a floor, people typically use a broom to sweep it up and throw it away. Standard sweeping relocates and organizes floor debris but also irritates smaller particulates of dust and debris into the immediate atmosphere, where these smaller particulates of dust and debris may be inhaled by the person using the broom or other people in the vicinity. To prevent dust and other particulates from getting kicked-up into the immediate atmosphere, some people dip brooms in water.

Several devices have been proposed to reduce the quantity of atmospheric particulates produced by sweeping a floor that utilize the application of moisture to a broom. One device provides a broom that has a hose attached to the handle. In this device, liquid is run through the hose and dispensed through a nozzle onto the broom's bristles or onto a surface to be swept. Some devices that utilize this hose arrangement also include control switches to allow the user to regulate the dispensation of liquid through the nozzle. These known devices do not provide an integrated channel system to disperse the liquid onto the broom bristles, however, thereby providing all the conveniences of a broom shaft without the imposition of external hoses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of floor debris removal tools now present in the known art, the present invention provides a floor debris removal tool wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when minimizing the aggregation of dust and particulates when sweeping. The present system comprises a broom having a broom head affixed to a shaft. On an end opposite the broom head, a reservoir is affixed to the shaft. The reservoir fluidly communicates with a channel running through the shaft. The reservoir is configured to release a quantity of liquid into the channel when squeezed. A nozzle is disposed on the broom head, which is enclosed by a plurality of bristles also affixed to the broom head. The quantity of liquid that is released from the reservoir is adapted to move through the channel and out of the nozzle, moistening the plurality of bristles.

One object of the present invention is to provide a floor debris removal apparatus that reduces the number of particulates swept into the air, thereby minimizing pulmonary irritation when sweeping a floor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide interior dispersion means to lessen the burden of external hoses and other water sources used to provide moisture to a plurality of bristles of the floor debris removal apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a floor debris removal apparatus with moisture dispersion means that has a plurality of nozzles to disperse a liquid evenly across a plurality of bristles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a moisture dispersion means for a floor debris removal apparatus that can be controlled by a user while sweeping with the floor debris removal apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a floor debris removal apparatus with a telescoping shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus.

FIG. 2a shows an exploded view of a reservoir-shaft joint of an embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus.

FIG. 2b shows an exploded view of an alternate reservoir-shaft joint of an embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus having a plurality of interior channels.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus with a telescopic shaft.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus having a plurality of interior channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the floor debris removal apparatus. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. Unless specifically limited to a single unit, “a” is intended to be equivalent to “one or more” throughout the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus 10. The floor debris removal apparatus 10 comprises a shaft 11 having a first end 12 opposed to a second end 13. A brush head 14 is affixed to the second end 13 of the shaft 11. A channel 15 is disposed within the interior of the shaft 11 and runs from the first end 12 of the shaft 11 to the second end 13 of the shaft 11. The channel 15 is in fluid communication to nozzles 18 disposed on the brush head 14. A reservoir 16 is removably fastened to the first end 12 of the shaft and in fluid communication with the channel 15.

With this arrangement, a quantity of liquid 17 stored in the reservoir 16 affixed to the first end 12 of the shaft 11 can flow through the channel 15 and out of the nozzles 18 on the brush head, unhindered. When the quantity of liquid 17 discharges from the nozzles 18, the quantity of liquid 17 bedews a plurality of bristles affixed to the brush head, thereby dampening the portion of the floor debris removal apparatus that interacts with floor debris. In the exemplary embodiment, the quantity of liquid 17 is water. However, in alternate embodiments the liquid can be any suitable cleaning solution.

The floor debris removal apparatus 10 is adapted to reduce atmospheric particulates generated from sweeping an area when the bristles are moistened with liquid from the reservoir 16. For example, a plurality of damp bristles can trap swept dust from being suspended in the immediate atmosphere through electrostatic attractions.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, there is shown an exploded view of a reservoir-shaft joint of an embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end of the shaft 11 forms a depression 55 in which the reservoir 16 is secured to the shaft. In the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir 16 has a neck 50 with an opening 52 disposed therein. In this embodiment, the reservoir 16 is fastened to the shaft 11 through a threaded connection between the neck 50 of the reservoir and a sidewall of the depression 55.

The opening 52 of the reservoir 16 leads to an internal cavity of the reservoir 16. In the exemplary embodiment, the flow of the quantity of liquid 17 from the reservoir 16 is regulated by a one-way valve 60 affixed to the neck 50 of the reservoir 16 and covers the opening 52 of the reservoir 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the one-way valve 60 is a rubber cap with a slit disposed therein. In other embodiments, the one-way valve is a twist-release cap, wherein the user rotates the reservoir 16 with respect to the shaft 11 to move the twist-release cap to an open and a closed position.

When pressure is applied to the rubber cap configuration of the one-way valve 60, the slit moves to an open position, allowing the quantity of liquid 17 to pass into the channel 15. A user can apply pressure by squeezing the reservoir 16. Thus, for this present embodiment, the reservoir 16 is made of a flexible but semi-rigid material, such as soft plastic.

In the illustrated embodiment, a graduation mark 40 is disposed on the reservoir 16 to indicate how much of the quantity of liquid 17 remains in the reservoir 16 and how much of the quantity of liquid 17 is releases from the reservoir 16. Additionally, a removable lid 53 configured to allow a user to refill the reservoir 16 is disposed on the reservoir opposite the neck 50 and opening 52.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, there is shown an exploded view of an alternate reservoir-shaft joint of an embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus having a plurality of interior channels. In alternate embodiments, the floor debris removal apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of channels 20 disposed within the interior of the shaft 11. A one-way valve 61 is disposed on the opening 50 of the reservoir 16 and adapted to control the flow of liquid therein. A plurality of nipples 62 are disposed on a distal end of the valve 61, wherein the arrangement of nipples 62 is configured to align each nipple to a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels 20 as shown in FIG. 2B.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus with a telescopic shaft. In certain embodiments of the apparatus, as the one shown in FIG. 3, the shaft 11 is telescopic. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 11 is further comprised of a first shaft segment 71 and a second shaft segment 70, wherein the first shaft segment 71 has a slightly larger width or diameter than the second shaft segment 70. The first shaft segment 71 is configured to house a portion of the second shaft segment 70. A telescoping joint 72 is configured to allow the second shaft segment 70 to telescope out of or retreat into the first shaft segment 71. In the illustrated embodiment, the telescoping joint 72 frictionally secures the bottom shaft segment 70 to the top shaft segment 71 by twisting the joint in a direction to tighten the joint and twisting the joint in the opposite direction to loosen the joint.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the floor debris removal apparatus having a plurality of interior channels. In this illustrated embodiment, the quantity of liquid 17 flows through a plurality of channels 20 that are interior to the shaft 11. In some embodiments, a plurality of nozzles 21 is disposed on the brush head 14. And further, some embodiments possess both a plurality of channels 20 and a plurality of nozzles 21. In this embodiment, each channel of the plurality of channels 20 is connected to a nozzle of the plurality of nozzles 21. This arrangement maximizes the dispersion area of the quantity of liquid 17 onto the plurality of bristles 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzles 21 are disposed at fixed intervals from one another, such that the liquid is evenly dispersed along the bristles.

In use, the floor debris removal apparatus 10 bedews the plurality of bristles 19 affixed to the brush head 14. When a user determines that moisture is needed on the plurality of bristles 19 to reduce dust and other atmospheric particulates from being generated by sweeping a floor, the user squeezes the reservoir 16, releasing the quantity of liquid 17 through the channel 15 and onto the bristles 19, as desired. This process can be repeated as necessary to keep the bristles 19 of the floor debris removal apparatus 10 damp for the duration of the sweeping period. In embodiments where the shaft 11 is telescoping, a user can adjust the length of the shaft 11 by unsecuring the telescopic joint 72, sliding the second shaft segment 70 in or out of the first shaft segment 71 until the desired length is achieved, then resecuring the telescopic joint 72. In this way, the floor debris removal apparatus 10 provides an ergonomic and effective way of removing debris from the floor.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A floor debris removal apparatus, comprising: a shaft having a first end opposed to second end; a brush head affixed to the second end of the shaft; a channel interior to the shaft, wherein the channel extends from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft; a reservoir fastened to first end of the shaft, wherein the reservoir is configured to dispense a quantity of liquid into the channel when squeezed; a nozzle disposed on the brush head, wherein the nozzle is in fluid communication with the channel; a plurality of bristles affixed to the brush head, wherein the plurality of bristles surrounds the nozzle. 2) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of channels is interior to the shaft, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels extends from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft. 3) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of nozzles is disposed on the brush head, wherein each nozzle of the plurality of nozzles is in fluid communication with the channel. 4) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of channels interior to the shaft fluidly connected to a plurality of nozzles disposed on the brush head, wherein the plurality of channels extends from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft and communicate fluidly with the reservoir. 5) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the quantity of liquid is surfactant cleaning solution. 6) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a graduation mark is disposed on the reservoir. 7) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has an neck configured to be threaded into a depression in the first end of the shaft and an open bottom end having a removable cap affixed thereto. 8) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein a one-way valve configured control the flow of the quantity of liquid from the reservoir into the channel is disposed over an opening of the reservoir. 9) The floor debris removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft is telescopic. 10) The floor debris removal device of claim 8, wherein the one-way valve is a nipple having a slit disposed on a distal end. 11) The floor debris removal device of claim 2, wherein a one-way valve having a plurality of nipples having a slit disposed on a distal end of each nipple of the plurality of nipples configured to control the flow of the quantity of liquid from the reservoir into the channel is disposed over an opening of the reservoir. 